The Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) is the kind of butterfly that combines steel with silk.

It's a tough critter. Often you'll see it with its wings clipped by a predator--maybe a bird or a praying mantis.

Then when you see it glide around, landing on Jupiter's beard, it's the epitome of grace.

The magnificent butterfly is found throughout much of western North America, from British Columbia to North Dakota in the north to Baja California and New Mexico in the south. We've seen it nectaring not only on Jacob's beard, but zinnias, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), California buckeye but thistles, too.

I once found about 6 western tiger swallowtail wings underneath some plants and wondered what had happened! Someone had a good hiding spot. I'm going to make them into a framed butterfly art one of these days...

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